FutureTunez, a website associated with the web radio station TuneVibez, recently posted up a quick interview session they had with Sam Hart. Interestingly enough, the interviewer knew Sam from years back where they met via World of Warcraft. In an interesting twist of fate, Sam earned a new fan and his career has since blossomed, especially after the release of the famous ‘Mario Kart Love Song’. You can read the full article over at FT, or catch just the Q&A after the break!
FutureTunez : What style of music do you generally listen to?
Sam Hart : All kinds! mostly acoustic singer-songwriter stuff.
FT : Who are your biggest influences?
SH : So many! Damien Rice, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Brighteyes, Ben Gibbard, and lots of others.
FT : What advice would you give to young musicians just starting out?
SH : I think young musicians tend to focus too much on trying to get famous, instead of focusing on the music. The music should really drive everything.
FT : How has social networking affected your music?
SH : Youtube and other social networking places are an amazing way for lazy artists to get their stuff out there. If it was not for that, I wouldn’t ever have been performing or any of that. I think it’s really exciting that people can broadcast their music to millions of people and not even have to put on pants.
FT : How do you feel about where the music industry is headed?
SH : Honestly I’m not really sure where it’s headed. It feels like people are pulling away from the traditional model of having to be picked up by major record labels. It’s so much easier to release songs independently now, especially with iTunes music store. [You can find Mario Kart Love song all over the internet, but it is also available for purchase on iTunes music store]
FT : Does it bother you that most people only know you as “Mario Kart guy”?
SH : It doesn’t bother me much. I think as time goes on, people are forgetting that song and paying more attention to my newer originals (hopefully).
FT : Are you trying to get signed and make music your career or do you only play for fun?
SH : Right now I’m just doing it as a really involved hobby. I work full time as a game designer, and writing songs is what I do when I come home (in between playing video games). When I was little I had two dream jobs – game designer and musician. Eventually I’d like to try being a musician full time, but I think I’d need to figure out how to make more money from it
FT : How has your music changed over the years : in style, subject, etc?
SH : I used to only write songs about breakups, and they were all very sad. Over time I’ve worked in a lot more happy material. I feel really guilty if I play a show and only sing sad songs. I don’t like the idea of feeding the audience all of that negative energy.
FT : Besides music, what are some other interests of yours?
SH : Video games of course! I play all of them, but especially World of Warcraft and Call of Duty : Modern Warfare 2.
FT : Can I play your music on tunevibez?
SH : Mario Kart Love Song is the only song I’ve released, and you’re welcome to play that one.
❤
-Melissa Tayes
a-Tunes 